In New Hampshire, in order for the delivery of a lease termination or eviction notice to be legal, certain rules and procedures must be followed. If they are not and the case proceeds to court, the case may be postponed or dismissed by a judge.
Who Can Serve Eviction Notices in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, landlords can serve eviction notices and lease termination notices themselves. Landlords may choose to hire a sheriff, process server or independent party over eighteen (18) years old to serve an official notice, but they are not required to do so by law.
When Can Eviction Notices Be Served in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, lease termination and eviction notices can be served immediately on any day of the week and at any time of day.
For a 7 Day Notice to Quit for nonpayment of rent, the eviction notice for tenants that do not pay rent in full and on time, a landlord can serve notice the day after rent is due. There is no legal grace period for paying rent in New Hampshire, rent is late starting the day after it’s due.
Acceptable Forms of Service in New Hampshire
New Hampshire landlords may deliver an eviction notice using any of these methods:
- Hand delivery to the tenant
- Leaving the notice at the tenant’s “last and usual” place of residence
Obtaining Proof of Service in New Hampshire
A landlord can demonstrate proof that a notice was delivered through the following methods:
- Hand Delivery – by completing a Declaration of Service at the time of delivery
- Leaving at the Premises – by taking a photograph of the posting or delivery location for the notice, and completing a Declaration of Service
New Hampshire Eviction and Lease Termination Notice Forms
Notice Form | Grounds |
7 Day Notice To Quit | Eviction for Unpaid Rent |
30 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate | Eviction for Lease Violation |
7 Day Notice To Vacate | Eviction for Serious Lease Violation |
30 Day Notice To Quit | Eviction for Business Reason
Tenant Refuses to Sign Amendment |
30 Day Notice To Vacate | Ending a Periodic / Fixed Term Lease |
Sources
- 1 N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:5(I)
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Any notice of a demand for rent or an eviction notice may be served by any person and may be served upon the tenant personally or left at his or her last and usual place of abode. … Proof of service must be shown by a true and attested copy of the notice accompanied by an affidavit of service, but the affidavit need not be sworn under oath. A notice of a demand for rent shall be sufficient if served upon the tenant at any time after the rent becomes due and prior to or simultaneously with the service of an eviction notice.